Huawei Mate 70 Pro vs. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Huawei Mate 70 Pro and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max represent the pinnacle of smartphone engineering from their respective ecosystems. This comparison isn't simply about brand loyalty; it's a clash of architectural philosophies – Huawei's in-house Kirin silicon against Apple's custom A17 Pro, and a look at how these choices impact real-world performance, battery life, and user experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing seamless software integration and a refined ecosystem, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the superior choice. However, the Huawei Mate 70 Pro’s blistering 100W charging and potentially unique software features (given geopolitical constraints) make it a compelling alternative for those seeking cutting-edge hardware and a different mobile experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 70 Pro Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66 - A3106
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3106
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, November 262023, September 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 26Available. Released 2023, September 22
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum alloy frameGlass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)
Dimensions164.6 x 79.5 x 8.2 mm (6.48 x 3.13 x 0.32 in)159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight221 g (7.80 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2Ceramic Shield glass
Resolution1316 x 2832 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 117.4 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2500 nits (peak)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz) - PLR-AL00Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz & 3x2.0 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz) - PLR-AL50Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)
ChipsetKirin 9020 (7 nm)Apple A17 Pro (3 nm)
GPUMaleoon 920Apple GPU (6-core graphics)
OSHarmonyOS 4.3iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Triple50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.1, 93mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
Video4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, Dolby Vision HDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFace ID, fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging100W wired 80W wireless 20W reverse wireless 18W reverse wiredWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired
Type5500 mAhLi-Ion 4441 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Purple, White, GreenBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
ModelsPLR-AL00, PLR-AL50A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2
PriceAbout 860 EUR€ 758.79 / $ 579.87 / £ 628.29
SAR-1.07 W/kg (head)     1.11 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.98 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)

Huawei Mate 70 Pro

  • Blazing-fast 100W wired charging
  • 80W wireless charging offers rapid top-ups
  • Potentially innovative Kirin 9020 chipset

  • Software ecosystem limitations due to geopolitical factors
  • 7nm chipset may struggle with sustained performance compared to 3nm

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • Industry-leading A17 Pro chipset for exceptional performance
  • Polished iOS ecosystem and long-term software support
  • Excellent camera system with computational photography prowess

  • Slower charging speeds compared to Huawei Mate 70 Pro
  • Limited customization options compared to Android

Display Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a peak brightness of 1787 nits, a figure that will provide excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Mate 70 Pro’s display specifications are currently unavailable, Huawei typically employs high-quality OLED panels. The iPhone’s ProMotion technology (adaptive refresh rate) is a key advantage, offering smoother scrolling and animations. The absence of detailed display specs for the Mate 70 Pro makes a direct comparison difficult, but the iPhone’s measured brightness provides a clear benchmark.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are expected to deliver exceptional camera performance, but their approaches differ. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s camera system is renowned for its computational photography and video capabilities. While specific sensor details are missing for the Mate 70 Pro, Huawei has a history of utilizing large sensors and advanced image processing algorithms. The iPhone’s strength lies in its consistent image quality across various lighting conditions and its industry-leading video recording features. Without detailed sensor information for the Mate 70 Pro, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance or dynamic range capabilities relative to the iPhone.

Performance

The core of this comparison lies in the chipsets. Apple’s A17 Pro, fabricated on a 3nm process, features a hexa-core CPU with two high-performance cores clocked at 3.78 GHz. This architecture prioritizes single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and fluid multitasking. Conversely, the Huawei Mate 70 Pro utilizes the Kirin 9020 (7nm), an octa-core processor. While the Kirin 9020 has varying clock speeds depending on the model (PLR-AL00 vs PLR-AL50), it’s built on a larger node, suggesting potentially lower power efficiency and thermal headroom compared to the A17 Pro. The A17 Pro’s 3nm process allows for greater transistor density and improved efficiency, translating to sustained performance under load.

Battery Life

The iPhone 15 Pro Max achieves an impressive 16:01h of active use and an endurance rating of 118 hours, demonstrating excellent battery life. The Huawei Mate 70 Pro compensates for potentially lower battery capacity with its incredibly fast charging capabilities: 100W wired, 80W wireless, and even 20W reverse wireless. This means the Mate 70 Pro can potentially go from 0-100% in under 30 minutes with wired charging, a significant advantage over the iPhone’s slower charging speeds (50% in 30 minutes with PD2.0, 15W wireless). The Mate 70 Pro’s reverse wireless charging at 20W also surpasses the iPhone’s 4.5W offering.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 70 Pro if you need exceptionally fast charging, are comfortable navigating a potentially restricted software environment, and value raw hardware innovation. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you prioritize a polished user experience, long-term software support, a robust app ecosystem, and a proven track record of performance and reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 chipset overheat under sustained gaming loads?
Given the 7nm fabrication process, the Kirin 9020 is more susceptible to thermal throttling compared to the A17 Pro's 3nm process. While Huawei employs cooling solutions, prolonged gaming sessions may result in reduced performance to manage heat.
❓ How does the 80W wireless charging of the Mate 70 Pro compare to the iPhone 15 Pro Max's MagSafe?
The Mate 70 Pro's 80W wireless charging is significantly faster than the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 15W MagSafe. This means the Mate 70 Pro can gain a substantial charge in a much shorter time frame using wireless charging.
❓ What are the implications of the Huawei Mate 70 Pro lacking full Google Mobile Services (GMS)?
The absence of GMS means users may need to rely on Huawei's AppGallery and alternative app sources. While AppGallery has expanded, it may not have the same breadth of apps as the Google Play Store, potentially impacting app compatibility and user convenience.
❓ Is the Qi2 wireless charging on the iPhone 15 Pro Max a significant upgrade over MagSafe?
Qi2 offers a more standardized wireless charging experience, but the speed remains capped at 15W. The primary benefit is compatibility with a wider range of Qi2-enabled chargers, offering greater flexibility.